Scientific Research

Most of our visitors don't realize that at any given time we have a number of active research projects occuring here! Crystal Cave is a unique geological feature in this region of the upper midwest. We have partnered with leading Universities and Colleges on a wide variety of research projects and studies, all with the goal to expand scientific knowledge. For approved research projects Crystal Cave donates staff time, expertise, and access.

Wisconsin Bat Program
Crystal Cave has partnered with the Wisconsin DNR to protect Wisconsin's bat populations and to educate the public on the benefits of bats. In addition, Crystal Cave Staff and the DNR conduct joint research each winter on the hibernating bat populations at Crystal Cave.

University of California Santa Cruz
Crystal Cave has partnered with the Kilpatrick lab at UCSC and the WI DNR for several research projects on White Nose Syndrome. As of 2017 there are two sctive research projects at Crystal Cave with UCSC.

University of California Santa Cruz
Crystal Cave has partnered with the Kilpatrick lab at UCSC and the WI DNR for several research projects on White Nose Syndrome. As of 2017 there are two sctive research projects at Crystal Cave with UCSC.

NOAA / CWOP
The Citizen Weather Observer Program (CWOP) is a public-private partnership with three goals: 1) to collect weather data; 2) to make these data available for weather services; and 3) to provide feedback to the data contributors so they have the tools to check and improve their data quality.

Weather Station Data and Current Forecast
Crystal Cave maintains suite of weather sensors, including sunlight intensity, wind, rainfall, and other sensors. Our equipment is contacted to the Internet and continually uploads weather data to Weather Underground.

University of Minnesota
Faculty and students visit Crystal Cave each year, conducting research to help better understand the geology and hydrogeology of the upper midwest. We are proud to be able to collaborate with the UofM.

Local Universities and Colleges Crystal Cave acts as a research station and laboratory for a wide range of research projects, collaborating with a number of local universities and colleges.

NASA
Crystal Cave Partnered with NASA and the University of Kansas for a study on middle-Holocene vegetation change and how it varied significantly over the upper midwest.

Bat Conservation International
We work closely with Bat Conservation International, the world's largest non-profit organization dedicated to bats. At Crystal Cave we follow the latest, peer-reviewed guidelines for bat conservation, relying on the world's premier experts on bats to guide our conservation programs.

Cave Classroom

High School / Summer Group Projects We have lesson plans and other materials available to assist you. If you have a particular hands-on lession in mind for your class or group, we are happy to work with you. Contact us to discuss your ideas!

Research Requests

Proposed Projects Please contact Crystal Cave for information and details on conducting research at the cave. The main criteria for approval is that the proposed research needs to expand scientific knowledge and not impact the cave or the cave ecosystems. As we can accomodate only so many projects, each research project will be peer-reviewed as part of the application process.

Pre-approval No research of any type may be done without pre-approval, in writing, from Crystal Cave. No sediments, rocks, plants, animals, etc may be collected without a permit from Crystal Cave. Please help us protect our rare and wonderful cave!